Container and process for prolonging the edible lifespan of a food product

ABSTRACT

Herein taught is a container/device and a method or process of use, for prolonging the edible life span of a food product. The container/device comprising of either one bag, or in combination, an inner bag within an outer bag, and a reusable closure means. Thus, when a food product after purchase is stored within the container/device, the edible life span of the food product is greatly prolonged.

The present invention is related to containers and methods which willkeep food products fresh for a longer period of time, thus, prolongingthe edible lifespan of the food product, but more particularly relatesto the use of a paper bag, or multiple paper bags, which in combinationwith a closure means will provide the unusual results of lengthening theedible lifespan of the food product when stored therein. Also, thisprocess is usable with any type of food product of choice. However, itis especially useful for bakery goods, such as bread, donuts, pastries,etc.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In just about every household in the world, food products are purchasedand consumed on a regular basis. Most often, the food product is soldand packaged in some type of plastic bag, or the like, and then oncetaken home, the user simply stores the food product (still in theplastic bag) at a location of choice, such as within a kitchen cupboard,or within a bread box, etc., or they may simply leave the food producton the kitchen counter for easy access at a later time. Unfortunately,storage of food products in this manner does not prove to be the mostsuccessful means for preserving the edible lifespan of the food product.

Typically, when a consumer buys a food product, for example a loaf ofbread, the edible life expectancy is approximately 2 weeks, thereafter,the bread will become quite stale and mold will even form, which can bevery dangerous if undetected and then eaten. Also, when the breadbecomes stale, having unpleasant visual and flavor changes, the endresult most often is the consumer will throw out the remaining bread.This is most costly and wasteful and economically unacceptable.

Therefore, it is contended by the applicants that there is a great needfor an improved means of keeping food products fresh for a longer periodof time than what has heretofore been available.

It is definitely recognized that this is a continuing problem that manyinventors have tried to solve, as prepared packaged food products havebeen in existence for a very long time. However, there has not been muchsuccess and/or attempts that prove to be promising. Exemplary of such anattempt is U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,895, wherein they teach substantially ahousing having a front and rear doors and a bread ejecting mechanismwith the device being formed from a material such as plastic, wood, oreven metal. Unfortunately, this reference is substantially only atypical breadbox having means to eject individual slices of bread therefrom for individual use. Clearly this reference does not solve anyproblems related to extending the edible lifespan of the bread, but onlyprovides a suitable means for easy access and individual use, andnowhere do they claim that the device will help extend the edible lifespan of the bread.

Another example of the prior art is taught within U.S. Pat. No.5,409,717, wherein they teach a “PROCESS FOR PREPARING EXTENDEDSHELF-LIFE BAGEL”. This process involves many steps and also includes aunique recipe having specified ingredients. It is clear that thisreference may extend the shelf life of the bagel when prepared in thismanner, but the present invention is not concerned with the actualpreparation and recipe of the bakery product, but is more concernedwith, and addresses preserving the shelf life of a food product afterpurchase by the consumer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore contended by the applicants that there is a great needfor an improved container/device which may be used for storage of a foodproduct and a method of use which further extends the normal edible lifeexpectancy of the food product when stored within the container, such astaught by the present invention.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a deviceand/or a food bag container that may be used for containment of variousfood products of choice, for example, donuts, bagels, cookies, potatochips, crackers, fruit, etc. However, the applicants have discoveredthat this method is exceptionally suitable for a loaf of bread. It is tobe noted that the applicants have concluded multiple experiments withmost unusual results. The following are examples of some of theexperiments conducted:

One of the first successful experiments conducted was attained with aloaf of bread, with the bread being packaged within a plastic bag havinga tie-wrap closure and the bread being purchased from the local store.Thereafter, the bread was taken home and inserted inside two grocerysized paper bags, one bag within the other, thus forming an air pocketbetween the bags, (with each bag being produced and sold by WillametteIndustries, Inc.) and the open ends of the bags being folded over andthen release ably held by a prior art clip device. The following day theapplicant removed the clip, untied the tie-wrap and removed a couple ofslices of bread. Thereafter, she did not re-close the plastic bag withthe tie-wrap but instead only folded the opened end of the plastic bagunderneath the bread itself, then closed the paper bags with the clipdevice as previously described. During the next several weeks, theapplicant would occasionally when needed, remove one or two slices ofbread in this manner, the last of the bread was eaten afterapproximately 4 weeks and to the applicants delight, the bread was stillas edible as the day of purchase. There was no mold at all and the breadwas not stale. The applicants found this to be most unusual and decidedfurther experimentation was required.

Therefore, another experiment was conducted exactly as previouslydescribed. However, only one paper bag was used rather than two, withthe end results being that the bread was still edible but was not quiteas fresh as when compared to the first experiment.

Still a further test was performed with three bags, again, the endresults were the same as the single bag experiment.

Yet another experiment involved use of two recycled bags, unfortunately,this did not prove nearly as successful as non-recycled bags. Theapplicants cannot explain why this is not as successful, but we presumethis to be caused by the recycling process and/or chemicals involvedtherewith.

Many other experiments have proven that this unique process using twonon-recycled paper bags (as previously described) is most successful,not only with bread, but with various foods of choice such as potatochips, cakes, cookies, bagels, fruits, etc., and in each case the ediblelifespan of the food product was definitely prolonged much longer thanwhat would normally be expected.

It is to be noted that some of the experimentation was conducted withthe food product itself being positioned within the bags with nopackaging thereon, and again this was very successful.

It is to be also noted that the applicants found this to be a perfectcontainer/device and process method for preserving the freshness ofsubstantially any item of choice for a longer period of time, forexample, one experiment involved a carton of cigarettes, which again wasmost usually successful.

It is also to be noted that the applicants cannot explain why thiscontainer/device and method is so successful, but the applicants presumethat the combination of the double bag and closure means providesultimate circulating atmosphere, thus providing perfect moisturecontainment, due to the air pocket formed between the two bags, and alsodue to the construction of the paper bags.

It is to be further noted that various sized bags and various types ofclosure means have also proven successful.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a containerand/or a food bag which is of simple construction and only requires onepaper bag having a pre-determined thickness and/or in combination,multiple paper bags with each having a pre-determined thickness ofengineering choice.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand/or food bag which may be closed by substantially any suitablere-usable closure means of choice, such as a tie-wrap, a rubber band,tape, etc., or as we prefer, a clip.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand/or a food bag which may include attractive indicia of engineeringchoice thereon.

Also another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand/or food bag which may be produced in a variety of sizes ofengineering choice, for example, after a baker has baked their product,the baker may wish to store the final product in bulk storage asmultiple bakery items may be stored within one bag and/or within adouble bag device/container.

Also, another object of the present invention is to provide a containerand/or a food bag which may be produced and manufactured in a variety ofcolors of engineering choice.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide acontainer and/or a food bag which teaches and provides a new use for anold idea, as bags in general are well known and various releasableclosure means are well known. However, the unique combination of eitherone bag, and/or multiple bags which are held in a release ably closedposition by a closure means with the bag/bags being of a size and shapeto contain a food product of choice therein provides most unusualresults which extend edible lifespan for the food product containedtherein. It is contended that such containers when used in the manner astaught herein has not heretofore been seen nor taught within the priorart.

Also, a further object of the present invention is to provide acontainer and/or food bag that may be sold and manufactured as acomplete kit which may be used for extending the normal edible lifeexpectancy of a food product when the product is stored therein.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method forprolonging the edible life expectancy of a food product using acontainer/device comprising in combination a paper bag made fromnon-recycled material and a closure means, the container havingpre-determined thickness and an open end, with the method of usecomprising the following steps of;

-   -   a. obtaining said food product of choice;    -   b. positioning the paper bag into its open position;    -   c. inserting the food product into the paper bag;    -   d. folding the open end over upon itself, thus forming a fold;    -   e. attaching the closure means in a secure manner so as to hold        the fold in a closed position;    -   f. removing the closure means;    -   g. unfolding the fold;    -   h. positioning the paper bag into its open position;    -   i. removing a portion of the food product;    -   j. repeating steps b-e;    -   k. repeating steps b-j periodically until the food product is        completely consumed,        -   whereby;        -   the food product will remain fresh and the edible life            expectancy of the food product is greatly prolonged.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide amethod/process for prolonging the edible life expectancy of a foodproduct, with the container/device in the preferred embodimentcomprising in combination, an inner non-recycled paper bag positionedand contained within an outer non-recycled paper bag. Thus formingsubstantially an air pocket there between, with each said paper baghaving an open position, a closed position, a pre-determined thicknessand an open end, and a closure means, said method/process comprising thefollowing steps of:

-   -   a. obtaining the food product of choice;    -   b. positioning each paper bag into its open position;    -   c. inserting the food product inside the inner paper bag;    -   d. folding the open end of each paper bag, thus forming a fold;    -   e. attaching the closure means in a secure manner so as to hold        the fold in a closed position;    -   f. removing the closure means;    -   g. unfolding the fold;    -   h. positioning each paper bag into its open position;    -   i. removing a portion of the food product;    -   j. repeating steps b-e;    -   k. repeating steps b-j periodically until the food product is        completely consumed,        -   whereby;        -   the food product will keep fresh and the edible life            expectancy of the food product is greatly prolonged.

Other objects and advantages will be seen when taken into considerationwith the following specification and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is substantially a perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is substantially a sectional view taken at 2-2 of FIG. 1 showinga two-bag embodiment.

FIG. 3 is substantially a sectional view showing a one-bag embodiment.

FIG. 4 is substantially a sectional view taken at 4-4 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 5 is substantially a perspective view of the present invention whenin a folded closed position.

FIG. 6 is substantially a side view of the kit of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring now in detail to the drawings wherein like characters refer tolike elements throughout the various views, arrow (10) of FIG. 1 issubstantially an overview of the present invention which is acontainer/device and method/process for preserving the edible life spanof a food product when the product is stored within container/device(10) after purchase by the consumer or end user.

Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, & 4, wherein we show the preferredembodiment for the present invention comprising, an inner paper bag (14)which is positioned and contained within an outer paper bag (12), thusforming substantially an air pocket there between respectively. Each bag(12 & 14) being a typical prior art grocery size paper bag which is madefrom non-recycled material, with each paper bag having a pre-determinedthickness substantially between 0.004 and 0.006, such as manufactured byWillamette Industries, Inc., with bags (12) & (14) each having an openend thereof and when each end thereof are manually folded over forms afold (18) with the fold (18) being release ably held in a closedposition by a closure means of choice. It is to be noted any suitableclosure means of user choice may be used, such as a paper clip, re-sealable tape, etc., or as the applicants prefer, a simple prior art clipmember (20) having an elongated recess (22) therein, with recess (22)being of a shape and size to slidably release ably retain fold (18) inits closed position, and it is to be noted that clip member (20) can beany suitable length of engineering choice.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, wherein we show outer bag (12) havinginner bag (14) positioned therein, and each of the bags (12 & 14) incombination contain a loaf of bread (24) therein, with bread (24) beingcontained within a plastic wrapper (26) which is release ably securedwith a typical prior art tie-wrap (28). It is to be noted that FIG. 1 isexemplary of how the bread (24) (food product of choice), may be storedafter purchase by the consumer, with the device/container (10) beingpositioned on a typical kitchen counter top (30). It is to be noted thatthe device/container (10) containing the food product may of course bestored and positioned at substantially any location of user choice.However, the applicants feel that when stored on top of a kitchencounter (30) this is most convenient and appropriate.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 & 5, wherein we show device/container (10)being folded with the open ends (16) and fold (18) each being held in asecure manner by clip (20) and it is to be noted that the presentinvention may be produced, folded, packaged and sold to the consumer asa complete kit, as illustrated within FIGS. 4, 5 & 6 and if preferred,the kit may contain attractive indicia (32) thereon. Further shown inFIG. 6, the kit is depicted in a non-folded position containing a foodproduct, such as bread (24), and this again exemplifies the method ofuse/process thereof.

Referring now to FIG. 3, wherein we show a second embodiment for thepresent invention. It is noted by the applicants that perhaps if onlyone bag (34) were to be used, which has pre-determined thicknesssubstantially equal to the combined thickness of bags (12) & (14), theunusual results would also be achieved. At this time, the applicantshave not proven that such a bag (34) as described is as successful as atwo-bag combination. However, current experimentation is under way andit is believed by the applicants that this is a suitable alternative (ifdesired) to the previously described two-bag combination.

It will now be seen that we have herein provided a new uniquedevice/container and method of use or process therefore, which providesmost unusual results and thus prolongs the edible life expectancy of afood product.

It will further be seen that we have herein provided a device/containerand method of use or process which allows a consumer after purchase of afood product of choice, to store the product in a new and unusual mannerwhich greatly prolongs the edible life span of the product.

It will also be seen that we have herein provided a device/container andmethod of use or process that has heretofore not been seen nor taughtwithin the known prior art.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what isconceived to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it isrecognized that departures may be made there from within the scope andspirit of the invention, which is not to be limited to the detailsdisclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims soas to embrace any and all equivalent devices and apparatuses.

1. A method/process for prolonging the edible life expectancy of a foodproduct using a device/container comprising in combination: an innernon-recycled paper bag positioned and contained within an outernon-recycled paper bag, thus forming an air pocket there between, witheach said paper bag having an open position, a closed position, apre-determined thickness and an open end, and a closure means, saidmethod/process comprising the following steps of; a obtaining said foodproduct of choice; b. positioning each said paper bag into its openposition; c. inserting said food product inside said inner paper bag; d.folding said open end of each said paper bag, thus forming a fold; e.attaching said closure means in a secure manner so as to hold said foldin a closed position; f. removing said closure means; g. unfolding saidfold; h. positioning each said paper bag into its said open position; i.removing a portion of said food product; j. repeating steps b-e; and k.repeating steps b-j periodically until said food product is completelyconsumed, whereby; said food product will keep fresh and the edible lifeexpectancy of said food product is greatly prolonged.
 2. Amethod/process for prolonging the edible life expectancy of a foodproduct using a container/device comprising in combination a paper bagmade from non-recycled material and a closure means, said containerhaving pre-determined thickness and an open end, with the method/processof use comprising the following steps of; a. obtaining said food productof choice; b. positioning said paper bag into an open position; c.inserting said food product into said paper bag; d. folding said openend over upon itself, thus forming a fold; e. attaching said closuremeans in a secure manner so as to hold said fold in a closed position;f. removing said closure means; g. unfolding said fold; h. positioningsaid paper bag into said open position; i. removing a portion of saidfood product; j. repeating steps b-e; k. repeating steps b-jperiodically until said food product is completely consumed, whereby;said food product will remain fresh and the edible life expectancy ofthe food product is greatly prolonged.
 3. A container/device used forprolonging the edible life expectancy of a food product, saidcontainer/device comprising in combination: a closure means; and aninner paper bag positioned and contained within an outer paper bag; thusforming an air pocket there between, with each said paper bag having anopen position, a closed position, a pre-determined thickness and an openend, said open end of each said paper bag being folded over forming afold and said fold being release ably held in a closed position by saidclosure means, whereby: when said food product of choice is storedwithin said container/device, said food product will keep fresh and saidedible life expectancy of said food product is therefore greatlyprolonged.
 4. The container/device of claim 3 wherein each said paperbag is made from non-recycled material.
 5. The container/device of claim3 wherein said pre-determined thickness is between 0.004 and 0.006millimeters.
 6. The container/device of claim 3 wherein said closuremeans is a clip member having an elongated recess therein, saidelongated recess being of a shape and size to slidably release ablyretain said fold in said closed position.
 7. The container/device ofclaim 3 is produced, packaged and sold as a complete kit.
 8. Thecontainer/device of claim 3 further includes indicia thereon.